44mag or 45 Colt - which is most versitile??

CrazySanMan · Jan 24, 2019

I'd like to more or less standardize on one caliber for most of my shooting - from plinking to self defense to small game to deer. I'm trying to decide between 44 mag and 45 Colt. I think 357 mag is an outlier but still in consideration. Which caliber can be loaded with the most versatility?

I have shot all three calibers before. I currently own nothing in 44 mag and I have a Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan in 454 Casull that also shoots 45 Colt. I have a 3" SP101 in 357 mag. Whichever I choose, I'll purchase several revolvers and lever guns for and I'll hand load most, if not all, of the rounds I shoot.

I'm leaning towards 45LC but I feel like if I do I'm limited to newer Ruger revolvers and I'm not sure how a lever gun, like a Henry, would do with hot 45LC loads.

From what I understand the 44 mag has a flatter trajectory than 45 Colt which makes it better for hunting. The 44 mag also has the advantage that if I wanted to or had to I could get a short barrel for CCW, though the 357 would be the obvious choice there.

Can 44mag be loaded tame enough for small game like rabbits and grouse? Can 357 be pushed high enough to be a good deer caliber? If you could only have 357 mag, 44 mag, or 45 LC and planned to hand load everything, which would you choose?

Muleskinner · Jan 24, 2019

I can't personally speak to the 44 mag but I can tell you a large, powerful round like that would make mincemeat out of small game like rabbits. I own a Marlin lever in .357 and have killed many deer with it at short (<100 yrds) range with 158grn soft tips.

My daughter has a Henry Mare's Leg in 44 mag (she lives in Alaska and carries it while camping/hiking for bear and wolf protection) It is classified as a pistol but is essentially a short stock short barrel level action gun and it does nicely with hot loads even though since it has no shoulder stock it's a bit hard to handle with them. Sounds like you already have an option for the 45LC so maybe go with the 44 mag and you can shoot 44 special through it if you are serious about shooting small game with whatever you decide on.

ken792 · Jan 24, 2019

Just looking at the Hodgdon load data, they do publish .44 Mag loads in the black powder .45 Colt range, like 5.5gr of 231 with a 240gr LSWC for 800 FPS at 12k CUP.

Muleskinner · Jan 24, 2019

ken792 said:
Just looking at the Hodgdon load data, they do publish .44 Mag loads in the black powder .45 Colt range, like 5.5gr of 231 with a 240gr LSWC for 800 FPS at 12k CUP.

Yep, it's like a cowboy load for a 44 mag..but if you're going that route you might as well use 44 special if your gun is capable of firing both.

John from MD · Jan 24, 2019

Having had both for over a quarter century, my vote is for the 44 mag. The 45 Colt, while it shoots light loads, does not like them as you will note from the soot on the cases. At the higher end, out of pistols and rifles, the .44 mag is more accurate and can be just as accurate using 5 or 6 grains of WW231 for plinking.

The only problem with the 44mag today is the dearth of rifles in that caliber. 45 Colt is available from numerous sources but I believe 44 mag is only available from Remington today. For some reason, Rossi is not importing them at this time.

Biggfoot44 · Jan 24, 2019

" Ruger Only" .45 Colt loads ( 30k - ish ) will be equivalent to factory standard 240gr jacketed loads . ( Carefully note the specific comparison .)

Big Bore Revolver guys can good naturedly debate .429 vs .452, and 240gr vs 255gr vs 300gr vs 320gr until the cows come home . I could try to convince you of slight edge for .45 , but the simplified version is that either is more than plenty capable . Either can be loaded down to very mild levels. In the all handload scenario , availability of factory ammo at various levels is non-issue.

Marlin, Henry, and Winchester * Model 94 * rifles can handle " Ruger Level " .45 Colt . Modern production clones of * Model 92 * is even more stronger , handling loads in the " Custom 5 Shot " range , aka 40k .

And the best choice is the one you didn't mention , the .41 Magnum .

montoya32 · Jan 24, 2019

I think the 44 is more versatile. Can get specials and mag and shoot out of the same rifle. Can get a revolver to shoot both, too. It's a heavy load and not suited for very long range shooting, but it is fun. I have a Marlin 1894 and love it.

CrazySanMan · Jan 24, 2019

Biggfoot44 said:
And the best choice is the one you didn't mention , the .41 Magnum .

I've thought about that one, but it seems like it's very limited in firearm choices vs the 357, 44, or 45.

Blacksmith101 · Jan 24, 2019

I think you answered your question with the .454 Casull. The .454 Casull is essentially a .45 Colt Magnum. Because like the .357 Magnum is a .38 Special with the shell extended by 0.100" so they can be loaded hotter but won't chamber in older guns not designed for the pressure. And the .44 Magnum is a .44 Special case extended by 0.100" for the same reasons. The .454 Casull is a .45 Colt extended by 0.100" and loaded to higher pressures. All of the extended magnum guns can safely shoot their shorter precursor cartridges at lower pressures. You already have a .454 Casull so if you standardize your firearms on that cartridge you can shoot any .454 Casull or any .45 Colt load safely, the Casull does not recommend shooting the .45 Colt cartridge in the Casull but you would know the load data was safe. That also allows you to load to specifications that exceed .44 Magnum Rifle loads.

Occam · Jan 24, 2019

Though I have both (.44 and .45LC in various formts), another plus for the .45LC ... you can use a revolved like the Judge or the Governor to also shoot those, AND .410 PD-type stuff.

CrazySanMan · Jan 24, 2019

Occam said:
Though I have both (.44 and .45LC in various formts), another plus for the .45LC ... you can use a revolved like the Judge or the Governor to also shoot those, AND .410 PD-type stuff.

This is on my mind as well.

Uncle Duke · Jan 24, 2019

I can only have one? Grrrrrrrr…….. :sad20:

Nah....I want two!

I own .357 revolvers and a Henry .357 lever action. I want to keep that Henry. No, it wouldn't be my first choice, but yes I can make it work for deer. With some planning and some Buffalo Bore ammo, I can also jump through the hoop necessary to convince the DNR that it's Maryland legal if necessary.
I can load it up or down, find factory and specialty factory ammo readily, it's fun and relatively inexpensive to shoot with handloads all day long, and it's surprisingly accurate. Too expensive for the purpose, but it would otherwise make a pretty good trunk gun too. So, I'm keeping my Henry .357.

Now the choice becomes 44 Mag. or 45 Colt. I like both cartridges in revolvers. These two cartridges have a lot of similarities in terms of what they can do. Here I'm vague where it comes to the .45 Colt and I would have to do some research, but I'll mention it because you mentioned Henry specifically.

One of the primary advantages of loading 45 Colt would arguably be in the heavier bullet weights. But I've heard (correctly or otherwise, and I don't know which is true....someone will be along to fill in the blanks??) that Henry recommends 45 Colt ammo under 270 grains. If that is in fact true, then I'll more easily give the overall versatility edge to the 44Mag., in that I can't see the Colt doing anything that the 44Mag. can't also do.

I own a Henry 44 Mag. lever also. I load both Special and Magnum loads for that Henry. It is also a rifle that's a whole lot of fun, and one I'd hate to part with.

NO WAY I can keep 2? Remind me to hate you.

But then all things considered, I'd have to make the 44 my one overall versatility pick.

Good Luck! I think you're going to have some fun any way you decide to go.

John from MD · Jan 24, 2019

Uncle Duke said:
I can only have one? Grrrrrrrr……..

Nah....I want two!

I own .357 revolvers and a Henry .357 lever action. I want to keep that Henry. No, it wouldn't be my first choice, but yes I can make it work for deer. With some planning and some Buffalo Bore ammo, I can also jump through the hoop necessary to convince the DNR that it's Maryland legal if necessary.
I can load it up or down, find factory and specialty factory ammo readily, it's fun and relatively inexpensive to shoot with handloads all day long, and it's surprisingly accurate. Too expensive for the purpose, but it would otherwise make a pretty good trunk gun too. So, I'm keeping my Henry .357.

Now the choice becomes 44 Mag. or 45 Colt. I like both cartridges in revolvers. These two cartridges have a lot of similarities in terms of what they can do. Here I'm vague where it comes to the .45 Colt and I would have to do some research, but I'll mention it because you mentioned Henry specifically.

One of the primary advantages of loading 45 Colt would arguably be in the heavier bullet weights. But I've heard (correctly or otherwise, and I don't know which is true....someone will be along to fill in the blanks??) that Henry recommends 45 Colt ammo under 270 grains. If that is in fact true, then I'll more easily give the overall versatility edge to the 44Mag., in that I can't see the Colt doing anything that the 44Mag. can't also do.

I own a Henry 44 Mag. lever also. I load both Special and Magnum loads for that Henry. It is also a rifle that's a whole lot of fun, and one I'd hate to part with.

NO WAY I can keep 2? Remind me to hate you. But then all things considered, I'd have to make the 44 my one overall versatility pick.

Good Luck! I think you're going to have some fun any way you decide to go.

Henry might limit the 44 mag to 270gns due to the shell lifter limitations. I have modified my lifter to take 310 grain bullets but it entails a completed take down of the action and some metallurgy skills to modify it properly.

CrazySanMan · Jan 24, 2019

I've read that for 4 mag and 45 Colt rounds that are basically equal in terms of projectile weight and velocity, the 44 mag will generate 20-30% more pressure than the 45 LC and that will greatly increase the felt recoil. Can anyone speak to that?

Uncle Duke · Jan 24, 2019

CrazySanMan said:
I've read that for 4 mag and 45 Colt rounds that are basically equal in terms of projectile weight and velocity, the 44 mag will generate 20-30% more pressure than the 45 LC and that will greatly increase the felt recoil. Can anyone speak to that?

The pressure spec differences you note are within accepted range. The 44 mag is in the 36,000 cup range. The 45 Colt “Ruger only” loads are deemed to be in the range of 25,000 to 30,009 cup.

How these pressure differences equate to perceived recoil, I can’t say. I guess you’d need to shoot 2 identical rifles, with one in each chambering to know for sure. I’ve never done that. What I have done and what I can tell you for sure though, is that within 44 Mag., there’s a very definite difference in perceived recoil between shooting a lighter weight Winchester 92 with a crescent buttplate, and a much heavier non crescent Henry Big Boy. It’s enough difference to be immediately noticeable, and it’s a distinction worth paying attention to with rifle selection if recoil is a concern. Like with all firearms, weight and fit and design matter. The one you’d rather carry, isn’t oftentimes the one you’d rather shoot. Trade offs...No free lunch as they say.

John from MD · Jan 24, 2019

Felt recoil depends on the weight of the gun, the power of the projectile and, as stated above, what kind of butt plate you have. For handguns, with the exception of use Contenders, Ruger and Freedom Arms revolvers, the .44 Magnum can be loaded to higher pressures than the 45 Colt.

For rifles, I know you can shoot max loads in both calibers in Rossi 92, and Marlin 1892 actions. I can't speak for any others.

CrazySanMan · Jan 24, 2019

I'm leaning towards 45 Colt, for the options of using guns like the Rossi Circuit Judge for a 410/45LC revolving rifle or the Taurus Raging Judge 454/45/410 handgun. I could also step up to a 454 or 460 and still shoot 45LC for plinking and practice.

Biggfoot44 · Jan 24, 2019

If you're asking the question , it is strongly implied that you are speaking of a .45 Colt revolver capable of "Ruger Only " loads .

Yes , Ruger Level loads will essentially match SAAMI spec 240 jacketed .44 Mag, at lower pressures, comparatively less muzzle blast , and theoretically slightly less recoil ( but not much , and depends on specific load .

Some people are believers in big, Heavy cast bullets . .45 Colt can effectively be loaded with bigger, heavier cast bullets . Those people will swear the .45 is better.

If you prefer "standard" weight controled expansion JHP , either will do , and such factory loads are common for .44 .

************

Actual Fredom Arms makes their .454 chambers very tight, to minimum spec . They make the disclaimer about shooting .45 Colt because they don't want to hear customer complaints about factor .45 Colt not always chambering . If you handload with dies that bring down to minimum spec, and use .451-.452 bullets , you'll be fine .

The above relates to actual Freedom Arms , other mfg probably are more conventional in chamber dimensions .

TheOriginalMexicanBob · Jan 24, 2019

If standardizing on one round...the .44 Magnum is simply more versatile than the .45 Colt. Each has its advantages but the .44 can handle more varied scenarios with available commercial loadings.

bigcountry · Jan 24, 2019

If you reload, its a toss up. But for finding rounds, the 44 mag is easier.

I can load my 44 down to being very mild to hot. If you have the right gun, you can do the same with 45 colt.

44mag or 45 Colt - which is most versitile??

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